Pakistan to release Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman tomorrow as peace gesture: Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said that the Indian pilot, who was caught on Wednesday, was "safe and healthy".

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 28 Feb 2019 10:00 PM (IST)

IAF pilot has to be repatriated immediately, say Govt Sources as Pak hints at negotiation Pakistan to release Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman tomorrow as peace gesture: Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. (PIC/AFP)

Pakistan will release Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman tomorrow as peace gesture, said Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Reports say Abhinandan would be handed over over to the International Committee of the Red Cross who will escort him back to India.

Why did Pak PM say two Indian jets were downed, was he not briefed or did he say an untruth, ask govt sources.

New Delhi: Pakistan will release Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman tomorrow as peace gesture, said Pakistan PM Imran Khan. He made the announcement in Parliament House this afternoon. "We have an Indian pilot. As a peace gesture, we will release him tomorrow." Interestingly, Khan’s announcement comes hours after US President Donald Trump said in Vietnam's Hanoi that there would “reasonably good news” coming from India and Pakistan. Addressing the joint session of Parliament, the premier stressed, "All issues should be resolved through dialogue. Despite us opening the Kartarpur corridor, we received no response from India." "When the Pulwama attack happened, we were blamed within 30 minutes," he said, adding "I'm not saying that India has a part to play in India but I asked them to share evidence." Khan said that on Wednesday he tried to call (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi to say Pakistan does not want escalation. "Our push for de-escalation doesn't mean we are afraid." Reports say Abhinandan would be handed over over to the International Committee of the Red Cross who will escort him back to India. Abhinandan was severely beaten by locals after he landed on the Pakistani side. The army officials blindfolded Abhinandan and shot his video asking him personal details. The Geneva Conventions strictly bar airing pictures of captured prisoners on television.

Wing Commander #Abhinandan is in #Islamabad and will be flown to #Lahore tomorrow afternoon and then to #Wagah. After crossing over, he will be taken in an IAF convoy to #Amritsar Air base and further flown to #NewDelhi - Sources #WelcomeBackAbhinandan
— ABP News (@abpnewstv) February 28, 2019

Abhinandan's crossover tomorrow: Timing still being worked out. #Pakistan wanted him to be handed over formally around Beating Retreat Ceremony, India wants him back by afternoon - Sources @AshishSinghLIVE #AbhinandanVartaman #WelcomeBackAbhinandan
— ABP News (@abpnewstv) February 28, 2019

Article 13 of the Geneva Conventions says “prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity”. Another video of Abhnandan was released where he was seen standing sipping a cup of tea in his hand and answering questions and choosing not to answer couple of them as well. He was lauded for displaying courage, dignity, valour and pride and not losing his mental composure after being captured in foreign territory. Here are the excerpts below: Pakistan official: What is your name? Wing Commander Abhinandan: Wing Commander Abhinandan Pakistan official: Okay. Hope you have been treated well over here? With us? Wing Commander Abhinandan: Yes, I have, and I would like to put this on record. And I will not change my statement if I go back to my country also. The officers of the Pakistani Army have looked after me very well. They are thorough gentlemen. Starting from the captain who rescued me from the mob and from his jawans, sorry soldiers and thereafter the officers of the unit which I was taken to. This is what I would expect my Army to behave as and I am very impressed by the Pakistani Army. Pakistan official: Okay, wonderful. So, Wing Commander, you hail from which place in India? Wing Commander Abhinandan: Am I supposed to tell you this? Major, I am sorry. I am..am from down South. Pakistan official: You are from down South. Okay. And are you married? Wing Commander Abhinandan: Yes, I am. Pakistan official: You are married. Okay. Wing Commander Abhinandan: Yes. Pakistan official: I hope you like the tea. Wing Commander Abhinandan: The tea is fantastic, thank you. Pakistan official: Okay, and now coming over to some specifics – Which aircraft were you flying? Wing Commander Abhinandan: I am sorry, Major. I am not supposed to tell you this but I am sure you found the wreckage. Pakistan official: And what was your mission? Wing Commander Abhinandan: I am sorry I am not supposed to tell you this. Pakistan official: Okay, thank you. (video ends) The last time an Indian fighter pilot was captured by Pakistani troops was during the 1999 Kargil war. Kambapatti Nachiketa, who had ejected across the Line of Control and taken prisoner, had spent eight days in Pakistani captivity. On June 4, 1999, even as the Kargil war was on, Nachiketa was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and with him he returned to India. Earlier, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday said Pakistan is willing to consider returning the Indian pilot if it means deescalation of ties between the two countries. He also said that PM Imran Khan stands ready to talk directly with Indian Prime Minister Modi over telephone to deescalate tensions. It was also reported that Pakistan would decide on the status of captive Indian pilot "in a couple of days". Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said that the Indian pilot, who was caught on Wednesday, was "safe and healthy". "India has raised the matter of the pilot with us. We'll decide in a couple of days what convention will apply to him and whether to give him Prisoner of War (POW) status or not," he said. However, government sources quoted by PTI remained firm today saying that the IAF pilot has to be repatriated unconditionally and immediately, there is no question of any deal. Pakistan PM Imran Khan has to walk the talk on investigating Pulwama attack, the Sources added. "Why did Pak PM say two Indian jets were downed, was he not briefed or did he say an untruth."

Published at : 28 Feb 2019 02:48 PM (IST)

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Wing Commander Air Force IAF Pakistan India